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Harding University Athletics

Men's Basketball
67
Okla. Baptist OB 10-11,7-8 GAC
71
Winner Harding Hard 10-11,7-8 GAC
Okla. Baptist OB
10-11,7-8 GAC
67
Final
71
Harding Hard
10-11,7-8 GAC
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Okla. Baptist OB 28 39 67
Harding Hard 29 42 71

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | Scott Goode (2/8/24)

Harding Wins Fourth Straight Home Game; Downs Oklahoma Baptist

SEARCY – Sam Smith scored 22 of his season-high 26 points in the second half to lead Harding to a 71-67 victory over Oklahoma Baptist on Thursday night in Great American Conference men's action at the Rhodes-Reaves Field House.

The win boosted the Bisons to 10-11 overall and 7-8 in conference, giving Harding its first season with 10 or more wins since the team was 14-13 in 2016-17. It was also Harding's fourth straight home win, a feat last accomplished from Jan. 7-Feb. 2, 2017.

Harding led 29-28 at halftime and slowly built its lead throughout the second half. Most of the offensive punch came from Sam Smith, who had made one 3-pointer all season, and connected on all three of his 3-point attempts in the second half. Smith shot 10-of-13 overall.

Keyln McBride added 13 points and Brahm Harris had 11 points.

A Sam Henderson 3-pointer at the 16:04 mark of the second half gave the Bisons a 40-38 lead that Harding maintained throughout. It was part of one of two 7-0 Harding runs in the second half, in addition to a 6-0 run. The Bisons led by as many as 12 points late.

Harding made 10 3-pointers in the game, its fourth game with 10 or more this season.

Harding forced 11 turnovers in the first half, and despite shooting only 31% from the field, led 29-28 at halftime.

Keyln McBride made three 3-pointers in the first 20 minutes and had 11 points. Harding had five 3s in the first half and only four 2s, making only 4-of-15 inside the arc.

Oklahoma Baptist scored 16 first half points in the paint but shot only 1-of-3 from the free throw line.

 
Gallery: (2-8-2024) 2023-24 Mbball vs. Okla. Baptist
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